ORENBURG, Russia (August 31, 2019) - Undefeated M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Roman Bogatov successfully defended his crown for the second time, registering his ninth victory in nine professional mixed-martial-arts fights, last night in Orenburg, Russia, headlining
M-1 Challenge 104: Battle in the Heart of the Continent.

Bogatov, fighting at home in Orenburg, emerged victorious because his challenger, Frenchman Mickael "Ragnar" Lebout (19-10-2), was unable to continue fighting after three rounds due to a shoulder injury.

A grappling master who literally put to sleep three of his previous four opponents, Bogatov displayed his superior ground attack once again versus a game Lebout. Bogatov originally captured the coveted M-1 Challenge title last September at M-1 Challenge 97, when he won a five-round decision over Rubenilton Pereira, and then he used an arm triangle choke to submit another Brazilian challenger, Michel Silva, in his first title defense this past January.

The judges worked overtime as the other four main card bouts ended in decisions.

Kyrgyzstan featherweight Busarmankul Abdibait Uulu (12-2-1) scored the most impressive win of his career, taking a split decision from veteran Ukrainian title challenger Andrey "Iron" Lezhnev (18-9) in the co-featured event. With the win Uulu positioned himself for a possible shot at the now vacant M-1 Challenge featherweight championship, after Nate "The Train" Landwehr relinquished his belt to sign a UFC contract. Uulu and French featherweight Anthony "La Masse" Dizy, who was victorious fighting on the undercard, called each other out after their fights.